Chess Puzzle #KDXY5 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks a1/f1; bishops e3/f3; knight g6; pawns a2/b3/c2/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks a8/e8; bishop e6; knights f5/h7; pawns a6/b4/c3/d5/f7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: fxg6 — pawn f7→g6, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxg6+ — queen h5→g6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Bxd5 — bishop f3→d5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Nh4 (knight f5→h4).
4. Best move: Qxh6 — queen g6→h6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

equality, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Qxg6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/5p1n/pq2b1Np/3p1n1Q/1p1P4/1Pp1BB2/P1P2PPP/R4RK1 b - - 0 23

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.